The Latest: Titans, Dolphins resume game after 2-hour delay

The Latest on the NFL’s first Sunday of the regular season (all times eastern):

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4:10 p.m.

The Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins finally are getting back to their game in full sunshine after a nearly 2-hour delay for lightning in the area.

Officials suspended the game at 2:13 p.m. ET with 1:11 left in the first half and the Titans on offense. Miami has a 7-3 lead.

The teams were poised to return after only an hour only to have lightning in the area push back the restart until 4:10 p.m.

The opener for the NFL season featured a 45-minute delay to the first kickoff between the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles and Atlanta Falcons in Philadelphia.

Weather in Charlotte also has pushed back the opening kickoff between Carolina and the Dallas Cowboys. Kickoff has been pushed back 10 minutes until 4:35 p.m.

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3:30 p.m.

It’s already Josh Allen time for the Buffalo Bills.

Nathan Peterman has been pulled from his third NFL start after failing to mount any offense for the Bills against the Baltimore Ravens.

Peterman was yanked with Baltimore leading 40-0 in the third quarter. He was 5 for 18 for 24 yards with two interceptions.

He was replaced by Allen, the seventh overall pick in the 2018 draft. The Bills traded up five spots to draft him at the highest spot Buffalo has ever selected a quarterback.

Allen drove the Bills for a field goal on his second series.

— Dave Ginsburg reporting from Baltimore

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3:20 p.m.

Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas will start against the Denver Broncos just four days after ending his holdout after it failed to produce a new contract or a trade.

Thomas made it through his first week of practice with no issues after holding out of training camp while seeking an extension or a trade. His deal expires after the 2018 season.

He’ll start in place of Tedric Thompson at free safety.

The Seahawks activated Thomas to their 53-man roster Saturday when they placed cornerback Dontae Johnson on injured reserve. He hurt his groin during practice last week.

Johnson was expected to start at right cornerback. The Seahawks didn’t announce who would start in his place, rookie Tre Flowers or veteran Neiko Thorpe.

— AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton reporting from Denver

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3:19 p.m.

New England Patriots running back Jeremy Hill has been ruled out against Houston after suffering a knee injury early in the second half.

Hill’s injury occurred on a second-down play with 12:09 remaining in the third quarter that ended in a Patriots’ turnover, with tight end Rob Gronkowski fumbling the ball near midfield after reeling in a 25-yard catch from Tom Brady.

He was helped off the field and evaluated in the medical tent before returning to the locker room. He had four carries for 25 yards and was credited with a partial punt block late in the first half.

The 25-year-old joined the Patriots in free agency this past offseason after spending his first four NFL seasons with Cincinnati.

New England led 21-6 at the time of Hill’s injury.

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3:12 p.m.

Never one to shy away from a fashion statement, Panthers QB Cam Newton wore brown cleats with a silver “sheriff’s star,” taking on a very old Western theme during pre-game warmups against the Cowboys.

Newton can’t wear the cleats during the game, but is allowed to wear what he wants to pre-game warmups.

— Steve Reed reporting from Charlotte, North Carolina

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3:05 p.m.

The Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins are expected to resume their game after a 77-minute delay because of lightning in the area.

The teams went to their locker rooms while play was suspended with Miami leading 7-3. First, the game was expected to be resumed at 3:10 p.m., and that now has been pushed back to 3:32 p.m. local time.

The game will resume with 1:11 left in the first half and the Titans on offense. Halftime is to be shortened to 6½ minutes.

— Steven Wine reporting from Miami Gardens, Florida

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3:00 p.m.

Joe Flacco has just thrown his third touchdown pass, and he’s made sure to hit each of the free agent receivers the Ravens signed during the offseason.

Willie Snead caught a 13-yarder in the third quarter to make it 33-0 over Buffalo. Flacco previously connected with newcomers John Brown and Michael Crabtree.

— Dave Ginsburg reporting from Baltimore

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2:55 p.m.

For the first time in franchise history, the Carolina Panthers have their team logo painted at midfield of Bank of America Stadium.

New owner David Tepper made the decision to use the Panthers black and blue logo after purchasing the team in July from Jerry Richardson, the team’s founder and first owner.

The Panthers always had the NFL “shield” at midfield —per Richardson’s orders— since they began play as an expansion franchise in 1995.

The Panthers host the Cowboys in their season opener.

— Steve Reed reporting in Charlotte, North Carolina

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2:30 p.m.

Andrew Luck’s first half was just about as good as it can get after throwing an interception on his first official pass.

The Colts quarterback finished the half 20 of 25 with 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Plus, he marched the Colts 43 yards in 1 minute, 42 seconds to set up Adam Vinatieri for his third goal of the half, a 51-yarder, to give Indy a 16-10 lead.

Luck is back after missing more than 20 months with an injured shoulder.

Vinatieri needs four more field goals to break Morten Andersen’s league record of 565.

— Michael Marot reporting from Indianapolis

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2:15 p.m.

Weather has delayed another NFL game, this time in Miami between the Tennessee Titans and Dolphins.

The game was suspended with 1:11 left in the second quarter because of lightning in the area. The teams went to the locker room — with the sun shining. Rain fell earlier, and there was also thunder in the area. Miami led 7-3.

Weather delayed kickoff 45 minutes for the season opener Thursday night between the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles and Atlanta in Philadelphia.

— Steven Wine reporting from Miami Gardens, Florida

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1:55 p.m.

Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette has a hamstring injury.

Fournette already has nine carries for 41 yards, and he led Jacksonville last season as a rookie with 1,040 yards rushing and nine touchdowns.

He caught a pass on the play before the Jaguars’ last series and was being stretched out on the sideline when the Giants had the ball.

— Tom Canavan reporting from East Rutherford, New Jersey

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1:55 p.m.

Panthers three-time tight end Greg Olsen (back) appears to be ready for Carolina’s game with the Dallas Cowboys.

Olsen was added to the team’s injury report on Saturday after practicing full all week. Asked Sunday if he expects Olsen to play, Panthers general manager Marty Hurney replied “as far as I know.”

— Steve Reed reporting from Charlotte, North Carolina

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1:50 p.m.

Houston Texans right tackle Seantrel Henderson has left the game against New England with a left ankle injury.

Patriots defensive lineman Keionta Davis landed on Henderson’s ankle while trying to rush quarterback Deshaun Watson. Henderson was tended to on the field for a few minutes and then walked off under his own power.

After the training staff looked at him on the sideline, Henderson was helped onto a cart, hopping on his right leg, and driven into the tunnel beneath the stands.

It was a few plays after Houston defensive lineman Christian Covington needed medical attention. He is questionable to return with a thigh injury, according to the Texans.

— Jimmy Golen reporting from Foxborough, Massachusetts.

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1:40 p.m.

Kirk Cousins has thrown his 100th career touchdown pass and his first for the Minnesota Vikings.

The new quarterback found Stefon Diggs in single coverage by San Francisco cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon on a fade route on third-and-3 from 22 yards out in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The ball was perfectly placed along the edge of the end zone to give the Vikings a 10-0 lead over the 49ers.

Cousins spent the first six seasons of his career with Washington. He signed a three-year, $84 million, fully guaranteed contract with Minnesota in March.

— Dave Campbell reporting from Minneapolis

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1:26 p.m.

Andrew Luck is getting off to a bit of a rocky start in his return for the Indianapolis Colts.

After receiving a loud ovation during introductions, Luck made it onto the field for his first regular-season series in more than 20 months at the Bengals 7.

It didn’t last long.

Following a first-down run, rookie guard Quenton Nelson was called for a hold. On second-and-14 from the Bengals 14, Luck was picked off by linebacker Preston Brown on his first official pass since returning from shoulder surgery.

It got worse. Cincinnati Bengals safety Shawn Williams has been ejected after making a helmet to helmet hit on Luck. The Colts quarterback ran for 7 yards before being hit in the head by Williams while being tackled.

Luck did not leave the game.

— Michael Marot reporting from Indianapolis.

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1:05 p.m.

The Ravens and Bills kicked off a new season on a wet field.

It’s been raining in the Baltimore area all weekend, at times heavily. Throw in a stiff wind and temperatures dipping below 60 degrees, and it’s as if this game was taking place in the middle of the season.

The Ravens are seeking to improve their record in openers under coach John Harbaugh to 8-3. Baltimore has won 18 of its last 20 home games in September.

This is the third career start for Buffalo quarterback Nathan Peterman, who enters with a career QB rating of 38.4.

— Dave Ginsburg reporting from Baltimore.

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1:10 p.m.

Miami Dolphins wide receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson are the only NFL players seen kneeling during the national anthem of early games in protest of police brutality and social injustice.

Dolphins defensive end Robert Quinn raised his right fist, and San Francisco wide receiver Marquise Goodwin raised his right arm with fist clenched during the anthem in New Orleans.

Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey and linebacker Telvin Smith Jr. stood during the national anthem after staying in the locker room for “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the preseason before playing the New York Giants.

Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews also was on the sideline after staying in the tunnel or locker room during the anthem much of last season.

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10:10 a.m.

President Donald Trump has tweeted his disapproval of the NFL on Sunday morning before the first full slate of games.

The president has criticized players for their demonstrations protesting social injustice during the national anthem, and the league for not requiring players to be on the sideline at attention when “The Star-Spangled Banner” is played.

He made reference to lower ratings on NBC in Thursday night’s season opener in which Super Bowl champion Philadelphia beat Atlanta 18-12.

“Wow, NFL first game ratings are way down over an already really bad last year comparison,” Trump tweeted. “Viewership declined 13%, the lowest in over a decade. If the players stood proudly for our Flag and Anthem, and it is all shown on broadcast, maybe ratings could come back? Otherwise worse!”

The NFL unilaterally passed a policy requiring players to stand at attention for the anthem or to stay in the locker room or in the tunnel under the stands. When that policy met with heavy criticism, it was put on hold while the league and players’ association discussed other options. Those discussions are continuing.

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Cardinals release CBs Johnson, Rollins

Cardinals release CBs Johnson, Rollins

The Arizona Cardinals released cornerbacks Dontae Johnson and Quinten Rollins and linebacker Jonathan Anderson, the team announced Tuesday.

In corresponding moves, undrafted rookie cornerbacks Deatrick Nichols and Chris Jones were elevated from the practice squad. Cornerback Jonathan Moxey was signed to the practice squad.

The 2018 season has turned out to be a lost one for Johnson, who was signed by Arizona on Nov. 27 but never played a game for the team.

The fifth-year veteran played in 63 of 64 possible games in four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, making 16 starts in 2017. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent in the offseason, but the team released him in late September after he suffered a groin injury earlier in the month. The Buffalo Bills signed him and he played in one game — a 37-5 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 21.

The Bills cut him nine days later.

Rollins spent three seasons in Green Bay but the team waived him off of injured reserve in early September. The Cardinals signed him Nov. 27, but he never played in a game for Arizona.

Ravens bank on improved defense vs. Chargers

With defense on the rise

Ravens bank on improved defense vs. Chargers

With defense on the rise throughout the NFL as the regular season races to its conclusion, the Baltimore Ravens hope their ball-stopping abilities can be a difference-maker in a daunting Saturday night matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers in Carson, Calif.

A win would solidify Baltimore’s grasp on an AFC wild-card spot while also keeping the Ravens in the hunt for the AFC North title. The Ravens are a half-game behind division-leading Pittsburgh, which plays the NFC’s top team in New Orleans on Sunday.

While the Ravens must win their remaining two games or get help from other teams in order to extend their season, the Chargers already have their playoff spot secure.

But that doesn’t mean Los Angeles has nothing left to play for. Far from it. The Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs are tied atop not only the AFC West, but the entire conference. The winner of the division is likely to get an opening-round bye, while the runner-up will open the playoffs on the road, quite possibly against a team with an inferior record.

“In December, that’s when you want to start peaking, that’s when you want to start playing your best football,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said this week. “That has been our goal all year long is to peak at the right time.”

After starting the season 1-2, the Chargers have gone 10-1, losing only to the Denver Broncos at home on a last-second field goal on Nov. 18. Looking back at those first two defeats, they were to the Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams, a pair of top teams. And the Chargers have since beaten the Chiefs.

While defense has been the Ravens’ forte, they are also getting it done this season with an unconventional offense that features mobile quarterback Lamar Jackson and bruising running back Gus Edwards.

Baltimore has won four of its past five games, and its defense has held opponents to 17 or fewer points in three of those victories. The Ravens gave up just 21 points in the other, and the lone defeat was by just three points at Kansas City — in overtime.

The Ravens will be facing a more conventional offense as the Chargers are led by quarterback Philip Rivers, who threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns in a road victory over the Chiefs last Thursday.

The Chargers did not have either of their top two running backs in that game, with Melvin Gordon (knee) and Austin Ekeler (concussion/neck) both held out. Gordon was at full speed at practice Tuesday and is expected to play Sunday for the first time since Nov. 25.

When it comes to Rivers, though, one current member of the Ravens defense is not surprised by the veteran quarterback’s success … nor will anything Rivers does Saturday surprise him.

“I told him before the season that I expect an MVP-style season from him, the way their team is built and the players they have on the team,” said Ravens safety Eric Weddle, who played nine seasons for the Chargers and instinctively referred to the team as “San Diego” this week when speaking with reporters. “It doesn’t surprise me. And it’s going to be fun. … I’m excited just to get out there and have another chance at getting a win, with the division title right there for us.”

Lynn said that Ekeler and wide receiver Keenan Allen (hip) did not practice Tuesday but added that both showed improvement. Also not practicing Tuesday was tight end Sean Culkin (back).

Players not practicing for the Ravens on Tuesday because of injury: tight end Nick Boyle (concussion), linebacker Matthew Judon (knee) and safety Anthony Levine Sr. (ankle). Also not practicing Tuesday though the reasons are not injury-related: Weddle, linebacker Terrell Suggs and cornerback Jimmy Smith. Guard Alex Lewis (shoulder) returned to practice.

NFL notebook: Panthers S Reid drug tested again

NFL notebook: Panthers S Reid drug tested again

Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid tweeted out a notice from the NFL of yet another drug test, his seventh in 11 weeks with the team.

“Number 7 … ‘Random,'” Reid tweeted after the Panthers’ Monday night game against the New Orleans Saints, a 12-9 loss. The notice was taped to Reid’s locker.

It’s the sixth random drug test and the seventh overall since Reid signed with the Panthers on Sept. 28. Reid’s first drug test was mandatory as part of his physical to join the Panthers. He doesn’t believe there’s anything random about the subsequent six tests.

ESPN reported last month that the NFL Players Association is looking into Reid’s allegation that the NFL is targeting him with non-random drug testing.

–Carolina head coach Ron Rivera said Tuesday he was holding a “slim glimmer” of hope the Panthers would make the playoffs and that quarterback Cam Newton would lead them into the postseason despite an obvious sore shoulder.

Rivera noted he would be speaking with Newton and the team’s medical staff later in the day in order to determine the quarterback’s status for the final two weeks of the season.

Newton opened up about his sore shoulder after Monday night’s loss to the Saints, saying that it hasn’t gotten better — or worse — and that he just doesn’t “have the strength, from the range of motion.”

–Washington Redskins safety Montae Nicholson has been charged with assault and battery as well as being drunk in public, according to multiple reports.

According to a report by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, deputies were called to a local retail and residential development around 2 a.m. Tuesday morning to break up a fight. They found two victims, a man and a woman, who were reportedly assaulted by Nicholson, 23, and 24-year-old Sydney A. Maggiore.

Nicholson was released on $2,500 bail, while Maggiore is still being held. She was reportedly charged with malicious wounding as well as assault and battery and was not granted bail.

A fourth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Cooper has missed 10 weeks this season due to an ankle injury and played in only five games. He returned 13 kickoffs for 277 yards (21.3 average) and two punts for 12 yards and did not catch any passes.

Cooper, 23, earned All-Pro honors and made the Pro Bowl in 2017 while leading the NFL in kickoff-return average (27.4) and finishing second in punt-return average (12.5).

–The Houston Texans released wide receiver Sammie Coates.

Coates, 25, played primarily on special teams and caught one pass for 12 yards in 12 games. He has 29 career receptions for 528 yards and two touchdowns.

Murphy dislocated his left elbow in the second quarter of Sunday’s 14-13 victory against Detroit. The fourth-year player made his first NFL start against the Lions, rushing 11 times for 35 yards before the injury. Murphy carried 52 times for 250 yards and caught 11 passes for 26 yards this season.

–The Los Angeles Rams signed veteran running back C.J. Anderson.

The move comes one day after Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters that starting running back Todd Gurley is dealing with knee inflammation.

Gurley has eclipsed 20 carries only once since the end of October and has scored only seven touchdowns in the last seven games, compared to 14 in the first seven games of the season.

The 2018 season has turned out to be a lost one for the fifth-year veteran, who was signed by Arizona on Nov. 27 but never played a game for the team. Johnson played in 63 of 64 possible games in four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, making 16 starts in 2017.

The Cardinals also released cornerback Quinten Rollins.

–Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, whose name has resurfaced since video emerged last month showing Kareem Hunt pushing and kicking a woman, said in a television interview he is done with football and that he would be willing to speak with Hunt.

Speaking with his wife Janay on “CBS This Morning,” Rice, 31, talked about his life in the years since his banishment from the league. And he made it clear he is not speaking out in an effort to get back into the NFL.

According to the CBS report, the NFL confirmed that Rice works with the league on its domestic violence education program.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers each have six Pro Bowl selections.

Leading the way from the NFC is the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints with five each.

The Chargers (11-3) clinched a playoff berth last week, coming from behind to beat the Chiefs (11-3), who are also headed to the postseason. Kansas City second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes is set to start for the AFC in the Pro Bowl, opposite Drew Brees of the Saints, a 12-time Pro Bowler.

New England Patriots QB Tom Brady was named to his 14th Pro Bowl, tying the NFL record.

Full rosters are below, with asterisks indicating starters and not accounting for injured players:

Packers place RB Jones (knee) on injured reserve

Packers place RB Jones (knee) on injured reserve

The Green Bay Packers placed running back Aaron Jones on injured reserve and signed wide receiver Allen Lazard from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad on Tuesday.

Jones, 24, suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee during Sunday’s 24-17 loss at Chicago.

The second-year player finishes the season with 133 carries for 728 yards and eight touchdowns, all team highs and career highs. The 2017 fifth-round pick out of UTEP leads the NFL with an average of 5.5 yards per carry and added 26 catches for 206 yards and one touchdown.

Lazard, a 6-foot-5 rookie from Iowa State, signed with Jacksonville in May as an undrafted free agent. He has spent the entire season on the Jaguars’ practice squad.

In 48 games in college, he finished as the Cyclones’ career leader in receptions (241), receiving yards (3,360) and 100-yard receiving games (12). He was a two-time All-Big 12 First Team selection.

Rams waive All-Pro return specialist Cooper

Rams waive All-Pro return specialist Cooper

The Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday announced they have waived All-Pro return specialist Pharoh Cooper.

A fourth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Cooper has missed 10 weeks this season due to an ankle injury and played in only five games. He returned 13 kickoffs for 277 yards (21.3 average) and two punts for 12 yards and did not catch any passes.

Cooper, 23, earned All-Pro honors and made the Pro Bowl in 2017 while leading the NFL in kickoff-return average (27.4) and finishing second in punt-return average (12.5). He returned a kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown in the Rams’ Oct. 15 win at Jacksonville last season.

As a wide receiver, Cooper caught 25 passes for 190 yards in 31 games with the Rams.

Redskins S Nicholson arrested, charged with assault

Redskins S Nicholson arrested, charged with assault

Washington Redskins safety Montae Nicholson has been charged with assault and battery as well as being drunk in public, according to multiple reports.

According to a report by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, deputies were called to a local retail and residential development around 2 a.m. Tuesday morning to break up a fight. They found two victims, a man and a woman, who were reportedly assaulted by Nicholson, 23, and 24-year-old Sydney A. Maggiore.

What apparently started as a verbal altercation escalated into a physical fight, according to police. Authorities determined that Nicholson assaulted the man and Maggiore assaulted both the man and the woman, per reports. Police reportedly believe Maggiore may have used a bottle as a weapon against the female, and both victims were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Nicholson was released on $2,500 bail, while Maggiore is still being held. She was reportedly charged with malicious wounding as well as assault and battery and was not granted bail.

The Redskins released a statement Tuesday from spokesman Tony Wyllie following the arrest: “We are aware of the arrest of Montae Nicholson. We are gathering more information and will not comment until we have further details.”

Nicholson, a fourth-round draft pick in 2017 out of Michigan State, is in his second NFL season. He has 41 combined tackles and one pass defended in 14 games this season.

Report: Cardinals release CBs Johnson, Rollins

Report: Cardinals release CBs Johnson, Rollins

The 2018 season has turned out to be a lost one for the fifth-year veteran, who was signed by Arizona on Nov. 27 but never played a game for the team.

Johnson played in 63 of 64 possible games in four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, making 16 starts in 2017. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent in the offseason but the team released him in late September after he suffered a groin injury earlier in the month. The Buffalo Bills signed him and he played in one game — a 37-5 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 21.

The Bills cut him nine days later.

The Cardinals also released cornerback Quinten Rollins, Garafolo reported. Rollins spent three seasons in Green Bay but the team waived him off of injured reserve in early September. The Cardinals signed him Nov. 27 but he never played in a game for Arizona.

Bills put RB Murphy (elbow) on season-ending IR

Bills put RB Murphy (elbow) on season-ending IR

The Buffalo Bills on Tuesday placed running back Marcus Murphy on injured reserve and signed wide receiver Victor Bolden off the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad.

Murphy dislocated his left elbow in the second quarter of Sunday’s 14-13 victory against Detroit. The fourth-year player made his first NFL start against the Lions, rushing 11 times for 35 yards before the injury.

Murphy carried 52 times for 250 yards and caught 11 passes for 26 yards this season. He also averaged 24.9 yards per return on kickoffs.

Bolden was used mostly on special teams during his second season with the 49ers. He caught one pass for 10 yards against Arizona in Week 5.

Rams sign veteran RB C.J. Anderson

The Los Angeles Rams announced Tuesday they have

Rams sign veteran RB C.J. Anderson

The Los Angeles Rams announced Tuesday they have signed veteran running back C.J. Anderson.

The move comes one day after Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters that starting running back Todd Gurley is dealing with knee inflammation. The condition caused Gurley to miss some time during Sunday night’s 30-23 loss to Philadelphia — the Rams’ second in a row and third in six games.

There has been speculation about Gurley’s health for several weeks now as his workload has decreased and he has not looked as explosive as he did earlier in the season.

Gurley has eclipsed 20 carries only once since the end of October and has scored only seven touchdowns in the last seven games, compared to 14 in the first seven games of the season. His primary backup, Malcolm Brown, is out for at least the rest of the regular season and the only other healthy running back currently on the roster is undrafted rookie John Kelly.

Anderson, 27, has 3,155 rushing yards, 883 receiving yards and 25 total touchdowns in 67 career games over six seasons. He spent the first five years of his career in Denver, where he won a Super Bowl in 2015. He also made the Pro Bowl in 2014, rushing for 849 yards and adding a career-high 324 through the air with 10 touchdowns. His lone 1,000-yard season came in 2017.

The Carolina Panthers signed Anderson to a one-year contract this offseason after the Broncos cut him. He played in nine games with the Panthers, starting one and collecting 104 yards on 24 carries and catching one pass for a 24-yard touchdown.

Carolina cut him on Nov. 13. The Raiders then signed Anderson on Dec. 5, but released him a week later.

Panthers QB Newton laments shoulder issues

Carolina Panthers quarterback

Panthers QB Newton laments shoulder issues

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton opened up about his sore shoulder after Monday night’s loss to the New Orleans Saints, saying that it hasn’t gotten better – or worse – and that he just doesn’t “have the strength, from the range of motion.”

“It is what we expected it to be. … The same way. It’s not getting better, it’s not getting worse. It is what it was, just a lot of soreness and tension in the joints,” Newton told reporters during his postgame comments.

“It doesn’t matter how much you push,” Newton said. “Ice, anti-inflammatories you take … I mean, trust me, I did it. Acupuncture. Massages. It’s just not been a time that (a) night has gone by without me getting some type of work done on my arm.

“We just don’t have the strength, from the range of motion,” Newton said.

Newton completed 16 of 29 passes against the Saints for just 131 yards and an interception while not looking comfortable throwing the ball. The loss was the Panthers’ six straight.

Newton first appeared on the injury report in Week 8. In Monday’s game, he skidded passes in front of receivers, missed multiple targets short and wide, and generally never found a strike zone.

“You work on the range of motion, and then come game time, you never know how it’ll kind of play out,” Newton said. “You try to stay under 25, 30 throws, but if it’s past that, or if you get hit on it, or you have to run, or you get tackled and you fall on your shoulder, certain things happen. That’s the game of football.”

Newton has just two touchdowns against six interceptions in December and a passer rating of 94.2 for the season.

Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, whose name has resurfaced since video emerged last month showing Kareem Hunt pushing and kicking a woman, spoke publicly on Tuesday, saying he is done with football and that he would be willing to speak with Hunt.

The NFL placed Hunt on the commissioner’s exempt list hours after TMZ published the video on Nov. 30, and a few hours later the Kansas City Chiefs cut the running back.

The Ravens cut Rice in 2014 after two videos surfaced, the first showing him dragging his unconscious fiancée Janay Palmer out of an elevator, and the second showing him punch Janay in the face in the elevator, knocking her out. Rice has not played in the NFL since.

Speaking with Janay, now his wife, on “CBS This Morning,” Rice, 31, talked about his life in the years since his banishment from the league. And he made it clear he is not speaking out in an effort to get back into the NFL.

“Well, see that for me, is something that I understand why it was being said early on about, you know, is this a ploy to get back into football,” Rice told CBS’ Gayle King. “I’ll be the first one to say it. I don’t have to retire to tell you I’m done with football. The pressure I was under of being a star — that was the person I hated the most.”

The couple married in March 2014, shortly after Ray Rice was charged with aggravated assault against Janay. King asked Janay Rice why she remained with Rice after the assault and why she has yet to see the video of the assault.

“I know it’s hard for people to understand,” Janay Rice said. “And I’m not here to force people to understand. It was never a thought whether I was going to leave or not, because I knew that that wasn’t him in that moment. This is somebody I’ve known since I was 15 years old. I knew that we had work to do, and I was willing to move forward and put in the work.”

When asked if he deserves a second chance of football, Ray Rice bluntly replied, “No. I didn’t deserve another chance.” Instead, he said, he got his second chance with his wife.

According to the CBS report, the NFL confirmed that Ray Rice works with the league on its domestic violence education program. Among other topics Ray Rice covered:

On his life before the assault on Janay and the subsequent fallout:

“One of the underlying issues for me was — I never wanted to ask for help. Football, for me, was my counseling. It was my therapy. It was my psychologist. It was everything.”

On the NFL’s efforts to address domestic abuse, including the current cases of Hunt and Reuben Foster:

“They’re trying to do the right thing … I know they are working with groups to try to get more of an understanding. And they’re doing the work. … I know the NFL … they’re not trying to push — they’re not trying to push people who do bad things or abuse against women. They’re not trying to push those guys on the field.”

Ted works more on the business side of National Football Post while contributing the occasional article. He graduated with honors in Marketing and Economics from Seattle University. A lifelong fan of Boston sports teams and avid cyclist Ted can be found on one of Seattle’s bike paths when not watching sports.

Panthers S Reid hit with another random drug test

Panthers S Reid hit with another random drug test

Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid late Monday tweeted out a notice from the NFL of yet another drug test, his seventh in 11 weeks with the team.

“Number 7 … ‘Random,'” Reid tweeted after the Panthers’ game against the New Orleans Saints, a 12-9 loss.

The notice was taped to Reid’s locker.

It’s the sixth random drug test and the seventh overall since Reid signed with the Panthers on Sept. 28. Reid’s first drug test was mandatory as part of his physical to join the Panthers. Reid doesn’t believe there’s anything random about the subsequent six tests.

“I’ve been here 11 weeks, I’ve been drug-tested seven times,” Reid told reporters after the game. “That has to be statistically impossible. I’m not a mathematician, but there’s no way that’s random.”

ESPN reported last month that the NFL Players Association is looking into Reid’s allegation that the NFL is targeting him with non-random drug testing.

“7 in 11 weeks…this is some BS…including at least 2 after the game which is the worst one smh This ain’t random,” Smith said via Twitter.

Based on the collective bargaining agreement, drug testing is conducted by an independent laboratory — without the NFL or NFLPA’s involvement — with players’ names chosen at random by a computer.

Reid also said he has never failed a test. Failed tests warrant more frequent testing tied to tiered penalties for further failed tests.

The NFLPA filed a collusion grievance on Reid’s behalf in May alleging that NFL owners colluded to keep Reid from being signed, in response to his protests during the national anthem. Reid, a 2013 Pro Bowler, was an unrestricted free agent from March until Sept. 28, when the Panthers signed him after an injury to Da’Norris Searcy.

FLM All-32: Team-by-team NFL notes

AFC EAST

FLM All-32: Team-by-team NFL notes

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills: While his team sits at 5-9 and he continues to rely on young players who bring little fanfare, coach Sean McDermott actually believes such reliance is proof his plan is working. “It’s really the type of culture we’re trying to build where I can walk into the team meeting room on Wednesday morning and say, ‘Hey, Player X has earned the right to be brought up to the active roster,'” McDermott said during his Monday news conference, noting he played six undrafted rookies Sunday. “And the players, I think they really get a lot of motivation out of that and take pride in that because they know what type of culture we’re trying to build and that you’ve got to earn things here.”

Miami Dolphins: With veteran Frank Gore likely out the remainder of the season with a foot injury, Dolphins coach Adam Gase has some evaluating to do at running back these last two games. One back likely to get more carries is rookie Kalen Ballage. After rushing for a total of 11 yards in his first nine games, Ballage broke out with 123 yards — including a 75-yard score — against the Vikings. But don’t count Gase among those surprised. “That long run he had, that’s how he runs every day (at practice),” Gase said. “That’s how he finishes every day. … When he gets a carry with the offense, he finishes in the end zone.”

New England Patriots: The Patriots have surrendered at least 150 yards rushing five times this season and are 1-4 in those games. That includes the last two games, both losses. But don’t expect Bill Belichick to place a renewed emphasis on stopping the run as the postseason approaches. “Look, each week you try to defend whatever the offense your opponents do — running game and passing game, situational football, third down, red area and everything else,” Belichick said during his weekly conference call. “So, what you do is a function of what they do, and that’s really more of a week-to-week thing for us. Whatever the league trends are or aren’t, I don’t really know that it matters. … It doesn’t really matter what the whole league does.”

New York Jets: While the Jets on Saturday hit double-digit losses for the third straight season and fourth time in five seasons, this offseason is sure to be different with rookie quarterback Sam Darnold providing the franchise plenty of hope for the future. Coach Todd Bowles may not be around to see Darnold develop beyond this season, but he offered his take on a key to Darnold’s success, and it’s not necessarily his arm. “He got out of the pocket and made some plays. He gave us a chance to try and win the ball game,” Bowles said during a conference call on Sunday. “He’s getting comfortable, he’s making plays with his feet and he’s finding the open areas.”

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens: Safety Eric Weddle gets to see former teammate Philip Rivers before Christmas, but he’s not in much of a festive move about the Ravens drawing one of the AFC’s best teams — the Los Angeles Chargers — given the rest disparity. “It’s obviously a disadvantage,” Weddle said of the schedule working against Baltimore, with the Chargers having 10 days between Week 15 and Week 16 games. By comparison, the Ravens enter Saturday’s game on less-than-normal rest. “We’re going to use this as motivation,” Weddle said. “It’s stacked up against us. We’re going to be the underdog. No one is going to think we’re going to win. This just adds to the game. Would we like to have 10 days to prepare for one of the best teams in the league? Of course, but we don’t.”

Cincinnati Bengals: Another key skill position player is likely done for the season. Wide receiver Tyler Boyd has a sprained MCL and needs at least two weeks to recover. With only two games remaining, he’s a candidate for injured reserve, where he would join quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green, though head coach Marvin Lewis said no decision has been made yet. Boyd reached his goal of becoming the first Cincinnati wide receiver to reach 1,000 yards in a season not named Green since Chad Johnson did it in 2009. Now, he’s looking at bigger targets to knock down in 2019. “Hopefully I get into the Pro Bowl. I’ve been working my tail off each and every day,” Boyd said.

Cleveland Browns: Interim head coach Gregg Williams said he believes the Browns are shaking the losing culture that has defined the franchise since returning to the NFL in 1999. But he prefers players focus on the next day, instead of the next milestone on the schedule. At 6-7-1, the Browns are still barely alive in the playoff chase. “I would say that our guys understand there is a good young team in there,” Williams said. “We have to continue to focus on week after week after week on don’t look ahead. Do not look ahead. That is when things start to maybe become more distractions that we were just talking about.”

Pittsburgh Steelers: First-round safety Terrell Edmunds and the Steelers kept Tom Brady & Co. without a touchdown in three red-zone opportunities and without a point in two goal-to-go situations on Sunday, which the rookie said was all part of the mindset implanted by the defense early in the week. “It was like a playoff game for us,” Edmunds said. “We just lost three games in a row. We just have to come together as a team, come together on Tuesday, and keep it going.”

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans: Running back D’Onta Foreman could make his season debut when the Texans play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Foreman is 13 months removed from his last NFL carry after suffering a torn Achilles but has been progressing in practices. Another factor is that starter Lamar Miller departed last Saturday’s game against the New York Jets with an ankle injury and he may turn out to be a game-day decision. Houston coach Bill O’Brien knows what we wants to see from Foreman should he be active against the Eagles. “Obviously, good vision,” O’Brien told the media Monday. “Good knowledge of how the play’s being blocked, decisive running, continuing to improve in his knowledge of pass protection. Just good, solid play. Take care of the ball, No. 1.”

Indianapolis Colts: Indianapolis is one of the hottest teams in the NFL with seven wins in eight games and is one of three 8-6 teams — along with the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans — fighting for an AFC playoff spot. Sunday’s 23-0 victory over the Dallas Cowboys was a dominating performance on both sides of the ball and has the franchise hopeful of reaching the postseason for the first time since 2014. “We’re playing great football,” receiver T.Y. Hilton told reporters. “Right now you’re either the train or you’re on the tracks. Right now we’re rolling, so you better get on the train.” Quarterback Andrew Luck professes to be hearing none of the playoff chatter. “We don’t live in holes, but I haven’t heard talk about it all and that’s not a lie,” Luck said.

Jacksonville Jaguars: A season of high expectations continues to be miserable for the Jaguars and veteran defensive end Calais Campbell said the preseason optimism makes the hard fall hurt even worse. “This is as bad as it gets,” Campbell told reporters. “I truly believed we were capable of winning a Super Bowl this year, and we underachieved at the highest level. It’s all bad. That’s hard to deal with sometimes. But at the end of the day, you have to take it for what it’s worth and try to learn from it.” Campbell said the season isn’t entirely lost because there are lessons can be learned. “They’re going to learn tough lessons,” Campbell said. “Hopefully, we can use this kind of season to give us that motivation going forward. I guess if there are any positives to take it’s that there are a lot of lessons to be learned that can be beneficial to this team going forward.”

Tennessee Titans: Running back Derrick Henry set a franchise record with 408 rushing yards over a two-game span, surpassing legendary Hall of Famer Earl Campbell (405 in 1980) from the club’s Houston Oilers’ era. Henry had just 474 yards through 12 games before suddenly emerging as a force. Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel said Henry’s “confidence is through the roof.” Another factor may be that the 24-year-old Henry has fresh legs after averaging just 10.7 carries through the first 12 games before averaging 25 over the past two. “I think that Derrick has to be 23, 24 years old, so I hope that his legs stay fresh,” Vrabel said. “I see how hard (he works). He is one of our offseason award winners for how hard he trained in the offseason, and the amount of work he puts in. So I know he is in great condition.”

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos: The Broncos (6-8) are officially out of playoff contention, but they still have a milestone to play for. The team hasn’t had back-to-back losing seasons since 1971-72, a streak it would keep alive with wins over the Raiders and Chargers over the final two weeks. “Absolutely,” head coach Vance Joseph told the media Monday when asked if that’s a goal. “We want to win. These next two games are important for us to finish the right way. That part is very important to me. It’s about winning. That’s what it’s about. It’s not about losing, it’s about winning. That’s very important to our football team and our coaches.”

Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Berry’s return to the playing field for the first time since the 2017 opener was without setbacks, but the team will remain patient in increasing his snaps. “He’ll continue to increase time and we’ll see how that disperses out there and what the plan will be for this coming week,” head coach Andy Reid said. “The positive was that he came out feeling good. He was sore — he hadn’t played in a long time.” Meanwhile, right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is “not ready yet” in his recovery from a spiral fracture in his leg that required surgery, but Reid said he still has a shot at returning sometime this season.

Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers emerged from Thursday night with not only a victory over the Chiefs, but also nine days to prepare for the Baltimore Ravens. The extra time was ideal, head coach Anthony Lynn said, given the schematic complexity of the Ravens’ offense. “You’re playing a team that is really unconventional compared to what we’ve seen all year with that rushing attack, so many schemes and the way they’re using their quarterback,” Lynn said. “They’re using their quarterback like a running back. It makes it difficult for a defense. You have to be disciplined, you have to be in your gaps. There’s a lot to prepare for.”

Oakland Raiders: With a legal dispute ongoing between the city of Oakland and the Raiders, Sunday’s game against the Broncos could be the last game the Raiders ever play at the Oakland Coliseum. Head coach Jon Gruden, who coached in the stadium for four years from 1998-2001, will miss the environment. “Just raging in the Black Hole,” Gruden recalled of his favorite memories. “Rocking and raging down there after the Steeler game in Week 14, after a lot of wins over the years. Seeing a lot of the old highlights of great Raider teams, I get excited. I get emotional about it, and hopefully we get it all resolved so we can continue to play there.” The Raiders’ home in 2019 remains unclear as they await moving into a new stadium in Las Vegas in 2020.

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys: While five straight wins lifted the Cowboys to the top of the NFC East, did they also help Dallas get a little too cocky? That question was asked of head coach Jason Garrett at his weekly news conference Monday following his team’s 23-0 loss at Indianapolis, but that’s not the way he sees it. “I think the best thing we’ve done here over the last five weeks is we understand the challenges of the game and I think we’ve been mentally tough over the course of these last five games” Garrett said. “… We just didn’t do what we needed to do to win the game yesterday. Period. … It’s really as simple as that.” He later added: “Ultimately (the Colts) ran the ball too easily in the game.”

New York Giants: Despite his team officially eliminated from playoff contention, Giants head coach Pat Shurmur said quarterback Eli Manning will start Week 16 at the Indianapolis Colts, avoiding the temptation to start fourth-round rookie Kyle Lauletta. “I think we’re going to try to put the player in that gives us the best chance to win,” Shurmur said. “We’ll see if that involves Kyle. … Eli playing QB I think gives us the best chance to win.” The coach also indicated the team isn’t in a hurry to move on from Manning, whom Shurmur said he still believes has “years” left as an NFL starter. “Yeah (I want Manning back in 2019),” Shurmur said. “I want all our players to be back. I believe experience matters.”

Philadelphia Eagles: A day after Nick Foles led the Eagles to a road win against the Los Angeles Rams, coach Doug Pederson announced the Super Bowl MVP will get the start again in Week 16. Carson Wentz remains out with a back injury but will not yet be placed on injured reserve, Pederson said while discussing his team’s approach toward the Houston Texans next weekend. “It will be Nick (starting). Where Carson is health-wise and just another week of rest for Carson will help him. So we made the decision to go forward with Nick. We will not put Carson on IR.” Wentz has a fractured vertebra that might require three months of rest to fully heal.

Washington Redskins: The Redskins not only broke a four-game losing streak Sunday but also kept their playoff hopes alive. And they did it despite quarterback Josh Johnson making his first start since 2011. One thing that may have helped Johnson settle in was a piece of advice coach Jay Gruden gave him before the game: “Calm down.” But why did Gruden think Johnson needed to calm down? “I saw him playing catch and he threw one 180 miles an hour at the guy and almost killed him,” Gruden said. “So yeah, I told him to relax, calm down and then everything’s going to be fine. But he’s got a lot of poise for a guy who just got here and a lot of confidence.”

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears: A division title in hand doesn’t mean Bears head coach Matt Nagy is ready to back off the accelerator. The Bears could still be as low as the No. 4 seed in the NFC depending on the results of the final two games. “Right now, we’ve got to win,” Nagy said Monday. Winning could come with its challenges as linebacker Aaron Lynch (elbow) and safety Eddie Jackson (ankle) are down with injuries. Nagy said the team is hopeful neither injury is season-ending, but there are no expectations yet for their Week 16 status.

Detroit Lions: Players are not using the term spoiler, but the Lions are geared up for Minnesota — a division opponent that whipped Detroit 24-9 and sacked quarterback Matthew Stafford 10 times last month. “If you love to play this game, every time you go out there is another opportunity to do the best you can,” linebacker Christian Jones said. “We still have a lot to play for. We all want to finish strong.” Offensive tackle Taylor Decker said the Lions want to win to fight through “growing pains” and establish an identity moving forward.

Green Bay Packers: Outside linebacker Clay Matthews said the Packers will keep fighting despite falling out of playoff contention with Sunday’s loss at Chicago. “I don’t think anybody anticipated having a losing season. It is what it is,” Matthews said. “We’re that close to having this whole thing flipped, but that’s all you can say in hindsight. We just haven’t done enough. We haven’t made those few plays that usually turn the game in our favor.”

Minnesota Vikings: Simplifying the offense was a goal of head coach Mike Zimmer’s when he made a change at offensive coordinator last week, elevating quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski to the play-calling role. Zimmer liked the result Sunday — 220 rushing yards and 41 points in a win over the Dolphins — but said not to oversell what happened in the build up to Week 14. “We ran like one play 10 times but with 10 different variations, so sometimes that’s what it is too,” Zimmer said Monday. “You format it differently and you get them in different looks so they can’t key on one thing, but you’re basically running the same play.”

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons: Tevin Coleman rushed for a career-best 145 yards in Sunday’s win over the Arizona Cardinals to at least temporarily pump life into the team’s sagging running game. Coleman’s big outing boosted the Falcons out of the cellar of the NFL rankings — they are now 31st at 90.7 yards per game — and may prompt Atlanta to decide to make a bid to retain his services. The fourth-year back’s contract runs out after the season, and receiver Julio Jones hopes the team brings him back. “I mean, he’s an amazing running back,” Jones said of Coleman. “He doesn’t get the credit he deserves, but he’s one of the best backs in the league, by far. His speed, his vision, everything about him.” Coleman has rushed for a career-best 704 this season while Devonta Freeman — the NFL’s third-highest paid back — has been limited to two games due to various injuries. Meanwhile, rookie back Ito Smith will go on injured reserve to have knee surgery, meaning even more work for Coleman in the final two weeks.

Carolina Panthers: Host the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.

New Orleans Saints: Visit the Carolina Panthers on Monday night.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rookie defensive tackle Vita Vea flashed his potential with nine tackles in Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens after accumulating just 12 in his first 10 NFL appearances. The 12th overall pick injured a calf muscle early in training camp and missed the entire preseason as well as the first three regular-season games. That left him behind in conditioning, and then he was initially overwhelmed by how fast the game is played in the NFL. “I think now I’m just comfortable with it,” Vea told reporters. “The game’s slowed down for me. Just getting back in the flow of things.” Coach Dirk Koetter was impressed with what he saw from Vea against the Ravens. “Vita is really starting to play exactly like we watched on his college tape,” Koetter said during a press conference. “He’s playing violent, he’s running to the football, getting off blocks so much better and making plays laterally as well as just knocking the line of scrimmage back.”

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals: Most first-year head coaches have plenty of job security, but many have questioned whether Steve Wilks will be back after the Cardinals fell to 3-11 with another blowout defeat on Sunday. CBS Sports reported Sunday that Wilks’ job is in jeopardy, and the Arizona Republic said Monday his firing “seems a foregone conclusion.” Various reports have also suggested general manager Steve Keim’s job could be in jeopardy. Keim signed an extension through 2022 in February, but he has since pled guilty to extreme DUI, and the roster fell apart this season, with several recent draft classes disappointing. Keim has been with the Cardinals since 1999, working his way up after starting as a regional scout. Arizona won 34 games during his first three seasons on the job, reaching the NFC Championship in 2015.

Los Angeles Rams: Once coasting at 8-0, the Rams are 3-3 since, and their two-game losing streak has suddenly created the possibility that they could miss out on a first-round playoff bye. Holding the tiebreaker from their meeting in Week 14, the Chicago Bears would jump the Rams in the standings by winning out and getting one loss from L.A. Linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. told reporters the importance of getting the bye makes Sunday’s matchup at the Cardinals a huge one. “We gotta play it like it’s our last game and play like it’s a must-win game,” Fowler said. “… We know what’s in front of us. We’ve just got to go take it.” The Rams close the season at home against the 49ers.

San Francisco 49ers: On the practice squad before the season, Nick Mullens continues to impress head coach Kyle Shanahan, who was asked Monday if he planned to get C.J. Beathard any work in the final two games. “Nick deserves to be in,” Shanahan said. “Nick’s played very well, and he’s gotten better as he’s gone. I thought yesterday was probably Nick’s best game, especially the way he finished it in that fourth quarter. … He’s done too good of a job. We’d love to get C.J. more playing time, but Nick’s earned it and I’m not taking him out.” Looking forward to next year when starter Jimmy Garoppolo will be healthy, Shanahan is excited about his quarterback trio. “It’s neat when you have some choices that you believe you can win with,” he said. “I think we’ve got three guys in our building that give us a chance to win.”

Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks emerged from Sunday’s overtime loss at San Francisco with a few key injuries, but they could be getting reinforcements for Sunday night’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Head coach Pete Carroll said linebacker K.J. Wright (knee) will return to practice this week, though it’s unclear if he’ll play for the first time since Week 10. “He’s going to practice this week, so we’ll see how he does,” Carroll said on 710 ESPN Seattle. “He looked fine last week in the amount of work that we gave him.” Right guard D.J. Fluker (hamstring) also has a chance to return, which would be a major boost after replacement Jordan Simmons went down with a knee injury that Caroll said “is going to be an issue.”

Saints pull out low-scoring win over Panthers

Saints pull out low-scoring win over Panthers

The New Orleans Saints scored a fourth-quarter touchdown, and that was enough for a 12-9 victory against the Carolina Panthers on Monday night in Charlotte, N.C.

Drew Brees completed 23 of 35 passes for 203 yards and an interception for the NFC South champion Saints (12-2), who overcame glitches on offense throughout the game. New Orleans would wrap up home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs by registering one win in the last two weeks of the season.

Carolina (6-8) has lost six straight games and clings to slim playoff hopes.

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, who has had a sore shoulder, finished 16 of 29 for 131 yards and one interception.

Alvin Kamara’s 16-yard run with 12:12 remaining was the only touchdown of the game for the Saints, who trailed 7-6 before that play. However, Brees threw an interception on the two-point conversion attempt, with rookie cornerback Donte Jackson making a return of about 100 yards for a two-point defensive score.

The 11-play, 84-yard touchdown drive included a 17-yard run by backup quarterback Taysom Hill.

Once New Orleans forced a punt on Carolina’s ensuing possession, the Saints chewed up more than seven minutes. The march included Kamara’s 3-yard run on fourth-and-1 from the Panthers 14-yard line on the final play before the two-minute warning.

However, when Tommylee Lewis picked up what would have been a game-clinching first down, he fumbled the ball out of the end zone with 1:44 left.

The Panthers, who had exhausted their timeouts, moved the ball only 19 yards before turning it over on downs.

The teams will meet again in less than two weeks in the regular-season finale.

The Panthers opened the scoring with a trick play when running back Christian McCaffrey connected with tight end Ed Manhertz for a 50-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-2 snap late in the first quarter.

The Saints scored field goals on their next two possessions, with Wil Lutz converting from 46 and 24 yards.

The score remained 7-6 through the end of the first half even though both teams threatened.

The Saints had the ball near midfield at the two-minute warning, but Brees’ pass was intercepted by James Bradberry on a ricochet.

The Panthers reached the New Orleans 13 before Newton was intercepted in the end zone by Eli Apple.

Carolina moved inside the New Orleans 20 in the third quarter before receiver DJ Moore fumbled on a rushing play.

Will Cardinals bring back Wilks, Keim?

Arizona Cardinals: Most first-year head coaches

Will Cardinals bring back Wilks, Keim?

Arizona Cardinals: Most first-year head coaches have plenty of job security, but many have questioned whether Steve Wilks will be back after the Cardinals fell to 3-11 with another blowout defeat on Sunday. CBS Sports reported Sunday that Wilks’ job is in jeopardy, and the Arizona Republic said Monday his firing “seems a foregone conclusion.” Various reports have also suggested general manager Steve Keim’s job could be in jeopardy. Keim signed an extension through 2022 in February, but he has since pled guilty to extreme DUI, and the roster fell apart this season, with several recent draft classes disappointing. Keim has been with the Cardinals since 1999, working his way up after starting as a regional scout. Arizona won 34 games during his first three seasons on the job, reaching the NFC Championship in 2015.

Los Angeles Rams: Once coasting at 8-0, the Rams are 3-3 since, and their two-game losing streak has suddenly created the possibility that they could miss out on a first-round playoff bye. Holding the tiebreaker from their meeting in Week 14, the Chicago Bears would jump the Rams in the standings by winning out and getting one loss from L.A. Linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. told reporters the importance of getting the bye makes Sunday’s matchup at the Cardinals a huge one. “We gotta play it like it’s our last game and play like it’s a must-win game,” Fowler said. “… We know what’s in front of us. We’ve just got to go take it.” The Rams close the season at home against the 49ers.

San Francisco 49ers: On the practice squad before the season, Nick Mullens continues to impress head coach Kyle Shanahan, who was asked Monday if he planned to get C.J. Beathard any work in the final two games. “Nick deserves to be in,” Shanahan said. “Nick’s played very well, and he’s gotten better as he’s gone. I thought yesterday was probably Nick’s best game, especially the way he finished it in that fourth quarter. … He’s done too good of a job. We’d love to get C.J. more playing time, but Nick’s earned it and I’m not taking him out.” Looking forward to next year when starter Jimmy Garoppolo will be healthy, Shanahan is excited about his quarterback trio. “It’s neat when you have some choices that you believe you can win with,” he said. “I think we’ve got three guys in our building that give us a chance to win.”

Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks emerged from Sunday’s overtime loss at San Francisco with a few key injuries, but they could be getting reinforcements for Sunday night’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Head coach Pete Carroll said linebacker K.J. Wright (knee) will return to practice this week, though it’s unclear if he’ll play for the first time since Week 10. “He’s going to practice this week, so we’ll see how he does,” Carroll said on 710 ESPN Seattle. “He looked fine last week in the amount of work that we gave him.” Right guard D.J. Fluker (hamstring) also has a chance to return, which would be a major boost after replacement Jordan Simmons went down with a knee injury that Caroll said “is going to be an issue.”

Titans RB Henry passes Campbell's two-game mark

Houston

Titans RB Henry passes Campbell’s two-game mark

Houston Texans: Running back D’Onta Foreman could make his season debut when the Texans play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Foreman is 13 months removed from his last NFL carry after suffering a torn Achilles but has been progressing in practices. Another factor is that starter Lamar Miller departed last Saturday’s game against the New York Jets with an ankle injury and he may turn out to be a game-day decision. Houston coach Bill O’Brien knows what we wants to see from Foreman should he be active against the Eagles. “Obviously, good vision,” O’Brien told the media Monday. “Good knowledge of how the play’s being blocked, decisive running, continuing to improve in his knowledge of pass protection. Just good, solid play. Take care of the ball, No. 1.”

Indianapolis Colts: Indianapolis is one of the hottest teams in the NFL with seven wins in eight games and is one of three 8-6 teams — along with the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans — fighting for an AFC playoff spot. Sunday’s 23-0 victory over the Dallas Cowboys was a dominating performance on both sides of the ball and has the franchise hopeful of reaching the postseason for the first time since 2014. “We’re playing great football,” receiver T.Y. Hilton told reporters. “Right now you’re either the train or you’re on the tracks. Right now we’re rolling, so you better get on the train.” Quarterback Andrew Luck professes to be hearing none of the playoff chatter. “We don’t live in holes, but I haven’t heard talk about it all and that’s not a lie,” Luck said.

Jacksonville Jaguars: A season of high expectations continues to be miserable for the Jaguars and veteran defensive end Calais Campbell said the preseason optimism makes the hard fall hurt even worse. “This is as bad as it gets,” Campbell told reporters. “I truly believed we were capable of winning a Super Bowl this year, and we underachieved at the highest level. It’s all bad. That’s hard to deal with sometimes. But at the end of the day, you have to take it for what it’s worth and try to learn from it.” Campbell said the season isn’t entirely lost because there are lessons can be learned. “They’re going to learn tough lessons,” Campbell said. “Hopefully, we can use this kind of season to give us that motivation going forward. I guess if there are any positives to take it’s that there are a lot of lessons to be learned that can be beneficial to this team going forward.”

Tennessee Titans: Running back Derrick Henry set a franchise record with 408 rushing yards over a two-game span, surpassing legendary Hall of Famer Earl Campbell (405 in 1980) from the club’s Houston Oilers’ era. Henry had just 474 yards through 12 games before suddenly emerging as a force. Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel said Henry’s “confidence is through the roof.” Another factor may be that the 24-year-old Henry has fresh legs after averaging just 10.7 carries through the first 12 games before averaging 25 over the past two. “I think that Derrick has to be 23, 24 years old, so I hope that his legs stay fresh,” Vrabel said. “I see how hard (he works). He is one of our offseason award winners for how hard he trained in the offseason, and the amount of work he puts in. So I know he is in great condition.”

Simplified offense energizes Vikings

Chicago Bears: A division title in

Simplified offense energizes Vikings

Chicago Bears: A division title in hand doesn’t mean Bears head coach Matt Nagy is ready to back off the accelerator. The Bears could still be as low as the No. 4 seed in the NFC depending on the results of the final two games. “Right now, we’ve got to win,” Nagy said Monday. Winning could come with its challenges as linebacker Aaron Lynch (elbow) and safety Eddie Jackson (ankle) are down with injuries. Nagy said the team is hopeful neither injury is season-ending, but there are no expectations yet for their Week 16 status.

Detroit Lions: Players are not using the term spoiler, but the Lions are geared up for Minnesota — a division opponent that whipped Detroit 24-9 and sacked quarterback Matthew Stafford 10 times last month. “If you love to play this game, every time you go out there is another opportunity to do the best you can,” linebacker Christian Jones said. “We still have a lot to play for. We all want to finish strong.” Offensive tackle Taylor Decker said the Lions want to win to fight through “growing pains” and establish an identity moving forward.

Green Bay Packers: Outside linebacker Clay Matthews said the Packers will keep fighting despite falling out of playoff contention with Sunday’s loss at Chicago. “I don’t think anybody anticipated having a losing season. It is what it is,” Matthews said. “We’re that close to having this whole thing flipped, but that’s all you can say in hindsight. We just haven’t done enough. We haven’t made those few plays that usually turn the game in our favor.”

Minnesota Vikings: Simplifying the offense was a goal of head coach Mike Zimmer’s when he made a change at offensive coordinator last week, elevating quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski to the play-calling role. Zimmer liked the result Sunday — 220 rushing yards and 41 points in a win over the Dolphins — but said not to oversell what happened in the build up to Week 14. “We ran like one play 10 times but with 10 different variations, so sometimes that’s what it is too,” Zimmer said Monday. “You format it differently and you get them in different looks so they can’t key on one thing, but you’re basically running the same play.”

Raiders' Gruden recalls Oakland Coliseum memories

Denver Broncos: The

Raiders’ Gruden recalls Oakland Coliseum memories

Denver Broncos: The Broncos (6-8) are officially out of playoff contention, but they still have a milestone to play for. The team hasn’t had back-to-back losing seasons since 1971-72, a streak it would keep alive with wins over the Raiders and Chargers over the final two weeks. “Absolutely,” head coach Vance Joseph told the media Monday when asked if that’s a goal. “We want to win. These next two games are important for us to finish the right way. That part is very important to me. It’s about winning. That’s what it’s about. It’s not about losing, it’s about winning. That’s very important to our football team and our coaches.”

Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Berry’s return to the playing field for the first time since the 2017 opener was without setbacks, but the team will remain patient in increasing his snaps. “He’ll continue to increase time and we’ll see how that disperses out there and what the plan will be for this coming week,” head coach Andy Reid said. “The positive was that he came out feeling good. He was sore — he hadn’t played in a long time.” Meanwhile, right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is “not ready yet” in his recovery from a spiral fracture in his leg that required surgery, but Reid said he still has a shot at returning sometime this season.

Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers emerged from Thursday night with not only a victory over the Chiefs, but also nine days to prepare for the Baltimore Ravens. The extra time was ideal, head coach Anthony Lynn said, given the schematic complexity of the Ravens’ offense. “You’re playing a team that is really unconventional compared to what we’ve seen all year with that rushing attack, so many schemes and the way they’re using their quarterback,” Lynn said. “They’re using their quarterback like a running back. It makes it difficult for a defense. You have to be disciplined, you have to be in your gaps. There’s a lot to prepare for.”

Oakland Raiders: With a legal dispute ongoing between the city of Oakland and the Raiders, Sunday’s game against the Broncos could be the last game the Raiders ever play at the Oakland Coliseum. Head coach Jon Gruden, who coached in the stadium for four years from 1998-2001, will miss the environment. “Just raging in the Black Hole,” Gruden recalled of his favorite memories. “Rocking and raging down there after the Steeler game in Week 14, after a lot of wins over the years. Seeing a lot of the old highlights of great Raider teams, I get excited. I get emotional about it, and hopefully we get it all resolved so we can continue to play there.” The Raiders’ home in 2019 remains unclear as they await moving into a new stadium in Las Vegas in 2020.